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Occasionally it is necessary toconvene a conversationbetween Vulture writers to discuss an important and timely issue in culture.
vs. the Worldand talk about whether the currentAll-Starselimination model has overstayed its welcome.
The latest of these wildfires isRuPauls Drag Race: U.K. vs. the World,orRPDR:UKVTWif youre nasty.
Rebecca:I call this emergency meeting of beleagueredU.K.
vs. the Worldviewers to order [bangsJudge Rudy gavel].
That was … really dark.
Emily:Genuinely hard to watch!
Weve been blindsided by lipstick eliminations before, but this was a whole other level.
For a reality show, that concept holds a lot of dramatic promise.
Whether thats due to producer interference or fear of social-media backlash is hard to say.
But this was so, so very not that.
What are your feelings about lipstick eliminations overall?
Emily:I think theyre a misfire and should be eliminated (LOL).
Its not a good look for anyone!
It makes the show look bad, and it makes the queen who pulled an undeserved lipstick look bad.
Most important, its not fun to watch!
Its not exciting-shocking, its upsetting-shocking.
It turns what could have been a victorious episode for a likable competitor into a disarmingly sad comedown.
All this over a challenge where you put on a wig and say shagadelic!
Emily:Oh my God, those Teachable Moment mirror discussions are a whole other Emergency Discussion topic.
Yet another example of producers throwing queens under the bus for the sake of Twitter engagement, IMO.
But yes, you could tell Blu immediately regretted her decision.
Probably partly because of how angry and shocked Ru sounded, but also Panginas reaction was just heartbreaking.
Can we talk about Pangina for a minute?
Youre right, she was doing so well; she was my pick to win for sure.
I didnt keep up withDrag Race Thailand,but after enjoying Pangina so much onU.K.
vs. the World,I want to go back and watch!
It wasntdrama,it was tragedy.
Emily:Hmm, do I detect some Brooke Lynn Hytes shade?
Yeah, exploitative is a good word for it.
You mentioned Jimbo, and I think thats another element of this elimination worth mentioning.
I am not the biggest Jimbo fan (sorry!!!
Does this make sense?
And yeah, it does make sense.
Her elimination meant we were losing a fun queen, but it wasnt a gut punch like Panginas exit.
These weekly lipstick pulls shouldnt be a chain of mob-justice retribution.
But it has since become a format of its own, and an unpleasant one at that.
dealmaking.Drag RaceisntSurvivor,nor should it venture to be.
(Well … maybe they can have more obstacle courses and bug eating.)
Whatever happened to may the best drag queen win?
Its time to pull the lipstick elimination lipstick.
